Category: Coalcracker
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Taming the IoT Beast: How I Overhauled My Home Network with Firewalla and Ubiquiti
I’m far from a professional network engineer, but I recently found myself frustrated with constant Wi-Fi issues and a growing number of smart devices. After hearing repeated praise for both Firewalla and Ubiquiti from cybersecurity enthusiasts, I decided to piece together a more secure, more organized home network—complete with a shiny new 12U network rack…
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CoalCracker Musical Mosaics: Blind Melon “Change”
Musical Mosaics is a new category on CoalCracker.com. For over two decades, I’ve been a PHP developer and independent contractor in the heart of Pennsylvania’s coal region. Recently, my passion for AI technology and travel inspired me to transform CoalCracker into a platform where I explore AI’s applications in my work, share travel adventures, and…
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Pap’s Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe: Where Bread Meets Greatness
Let’s face it: when it comes to comfort food, stuffing is near the top of the list. As far back as I can remember, Thanksgiving was a significant holiday in my house in Ashland, right in the heart of the anthracite coal region, with my grandparents living right next door. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the…
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Ready to Rock: An Atlantic City Escape
The engine is revving, the suitcases are packed, and we’re set to hit the open road for a leisurely 3.5-hour drive. Our destination? The vibrant and ever-thrilling Atlantic City, home to the iconic Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. It’s time to unwind, enjoy a few days off, and embrace the excitement that awaits us. Back…
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A Warm Hug in a Bowl: CoalCracker French Onion Soup
Let’s wind the clock back a bit. A good while ago, I found myself immersed in the lively world of a well-regarded restaurant, navigating through steam and sizzle, pots and pans, and along the way, learning tricks of the trade that made creating great dishes a little easier. French Onion Soup was one of those…
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Product Review: Finding the Perfect Travel Companion for Peaceful Sleep
Traveling can be both an exhilarating and exhausting experience. One of the more unexpected challenges of travel, I’ve found, is dealing with the unexpected noise. Whether it’s late-night partygoers in the neighboring room or the ceaseless hum of urban life, external sounds can truly disrupt a peaceful night’s sleep. I had previously combated this with…
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Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City: A New Chapter
After our last CoalCracker Adventure to the Tropicana, I was in two minds about ever setting foot in Atlantic City again. The love affair we once had with the Trop seemed to have soured, and the aftermath felt akin to a bitter breakup. However, after some reflection and a heart-to-heart with my wife, we resolved…
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Whispers of Wings and Buds
I have a lilac bush in my yard that has been having a rough couple years. The tallest branches were as high as my garage and have had some type of fungus on them causing rot. I decided to cut them back this year, to allow the smaller branches that are still thriving, to take…
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A love poem about the earth on a hot summer day and a gentle summer rain
Work has been really busy and I haven’t posted anything in awhile, so I figured I would share this from today. It’s been a week or so since we’ve had any rain and the temps have been going up daily. We topped out around 90 today and had a very short bit of rain. The…
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First Impressions of Caesars Rewards Program
Atlantic City, with its bustling boardwalk, golden sandy beaches, and the ever-alluring promise of both leisure and chance, is not just a gamblers’ paradise but also a hub for various conventions and professional gatherings. It was in this context that my wife, who recently because a Realtor, found herself drawn to the city for a…
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